(Figs. 1, 3, 7, 11, 16, 19, Map fig. 39)

Anillus fortis Horn, 1868:127. Type (sex unknown) from ‘‘mountainous regions of Eastern Tennessee.’’ Deposited Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.

Anillinus fortis (Horn), Jeannel 1963 a:75.

Anillinus fortis, Barr 1995:241.

Anillus (Anillinus) carolinae Casey, 1918:168. Synonymized by Barr 1995:241.

Holotype not examined. Our interpretation of the species is based on examination of the cotype of A. carolinae (female bearing labels: ‘‘Black Mts. N.C. IX.’’ and ‘‘fortis, compared with type’’). We are in agreement with Barr’s (1995) concept of this species.

Description. Medium to large-sized for the genus (ABL range, 1.70–2.08 mm; mean, 1.96 n ¼ 10). Habitus (Fig. 1) markedly convex, ovoid, head of moderate size (WH/WPm, 0.73), elytra relatively wide (WPm/WE, 0.78). Color of body various, from brunneous to brunneorufous, appendages testaceous. Pronotal microsculpture fine but distinct across entire disc. Microsculpture on head absent on two paralateral patches at vertex (Fig. 3).

Pronotum moderately convex and transverse (WPm/LP, 1.30), with margins slightly constricted and rectilinear convergent posteriad (WPm/WPp, 1.24) (Fig. 7). Anterior angles evident, slightly prominent. Posterior angles slightly obtuse (105–1158). Width between posterior angles much greater than between anterior angles (WPa/WPp, 0.92).

Elytra markedly convex, slightly depressed along suture, length normal for genus (LE/ABL, 0.57), with traces of 1–3 (occasionally 4) interneurs. Humeri moderately prominent, slightly rounded. Vestiture of elytra short.

Males with metafemora (Fig. 11) and metatibiae (Fig. 16) simple.

Median lobe (Fig. 19) evenly arcuate, with small protrusion at dorsal margin of apex. Internal sac with copulatory pieces of spirally-curved dorsal sclerites, in form of a blade-like structure with a peculiar prominence near base; ventral sclerite of internal sac absent; small oval cluster of spines often visible at base of copulatory sclerite under high magnification.

Material Examined (39). Twelve specimens labeled / NC, Avery Co., nr. Globe, 17 Aug 1996, J. F. Cornell / (JFC); 3 specimens labeled / NC, Caldwell Co., Edgemont, 17 Aug 1996, J. F. Cornell / (JFC); 17 specimens labeled / USA: NC, McDowell Co., Deerlick Gap Overlook, elv. 3,500, B. R. Pkw. 2.2 mi SW intersec. 221, 2. VI.1991, C.E. Carlton / (LSAM); 7 specimens labeled / NC, McDowell Co., Green Knob, BRP. MP 350.4, 7 Aug 1991, J. F. Cornell, rhododendron litter/ (JFC).

Distribution. Known from north of the French Broad River in North Carolina (Fig. 39) and presumably eastern Tennessee. Tennessee localities not corroborated.

Habitat. Deep, moist hardwood litter.

Differential Diagnosis. Anillinus fortis is ovoid in form with patches lacking microsculpture on the lateral surfaces of the vertex (Table 2, species group II of litter species). The median lobe is diagnostic. Based on similarities in the structure of the median lobe and the distribution, A. fortis may be the allopatric sister-taxon to A. loweae, from which it differs in having a smaller apical process of the median lobe (larger in A. loweae) and in the absence of a group of closed spines associated with the copulatory sclerites. Anillinus fortis is sympatric with at least two species of Anillinus, described herein as A. erwini and A. daggyi. From the first species it differs by the presence of distinct microsculpture on the disc of the pronotum and from the second by its substantially larger size. All three may be separated using aedeagal characters.